Electric switch



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Patented July 8, 1952 .omrso STATES ELECTRIC SWITCH Fred H. Cole, Los Angeles, Calif. Application June 24, 1949, Serial No. 100,999

This invention relates to an electric switch. More particularly, it relates to an air break switch suitable for use in making and breaking a circuit in a high power transmission line.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a switch adapted for use in making and breaking a circuit in a high power transmission line which is dependable regardless of weather conditions. 7

It is a particular object of the invention to provide a switch of the character and for the purpose described which is'dependable in making and breaking contact during freezing weather and when the contacts are subjected to extreme conditions of icing.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from the ensuing description and the appended claims.

One form which the invention may assume is exemplified in the j following description and illustrated by. way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view in side elevation of the switch of the invention.

Figs. 2 and 3 are views in top plan and in side elevation, respectively, with parts broken away, showing the operating elements of the movable blade.

Figs. 4 and 5 are fragmentary views similar to that of Fig. 3 but illustrating the blade actuating mechanism in two different stages of operation.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary top plan view of the outer end of the movable blade.

Fig. 7 is a view in rear elevation of the blade operating mechanism, with the housing broken away.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view in end elevation of the fixed contactassembly.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view in side elevation of a modified form of switch.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to Fig. l, the switch as a whole is designated as H] and it comprises a blade ll constituting a movable contact member which is mounted on a tripod l2 or other suitable insulating support and which makes contact with fixed contact elements I3 which are mounted upon a tripod M or other suitableinsulating support. The tripod l2 comprises fixed, legs l5 (of which only one is shown in Fig.1) constructed of stacked insulators l6 which are coupled in known manner, and a rotatable leg I! similarly constructed of stacked insulators I8 coupled in known manner and rota-tably mounted at l9 on a base 20. A lever 25 is fixed t0 the bottom of the 7 Claim. (Cl. 200-48) 2 v rotatable leg I! and it is provided'with a hole 26 to providea suitable connection for the purpose of turning the leg.

The tripod I4 is formed by fixed-legs 21 (of which only one is shown) andis generally'of conventional construction,comprising stacked insulators 28. i I

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 2 to 6, the blade H is'ope'rated by a hinge assembly 35, which is mounted on brackets 3 fiwhich, in turn, are mounted on a base plate 31 whichis fixed to and is firmly supported by-all three legs of the tripod I2, as illustrated in Fig; 1. The blade I! comprises a tubularconductor 38 and an operating or pressure-setting rod 39, both of which are operated by the hinge assembly 35 in the manner described hereinafter. A' cap piece All is fixed to the upper end of the rotatable leg of tripod l2 and a pin 4| fixedto the cap piece is journaled in one end of a bracket 42, the other end of which is fixed to the baseplate 31. A lever 43 is clamped at one end to -the pin 4| and it is held in placeagainstaxial thrust by means or" a thrust nut 44. The other end of the lever 53 is connected by means'ofauniversal link 50 having hinge pins 5! and 52 to one-end of an adjustable connecting rod 53,;the-other end of which is connected by means of a uni versal link 54 to a sleeve or collar 55'which; is rotatable on a shaft 56. j

Arms 57 rotatably mounted on the ends 'of the shaft 56 are keyed at their other ends to the corresponding ends of an operating shaft 58, which is journaled in a housing 58a having aremovable cover 58b. Spacers 59 on the shaft'58 are disposed within the housing 58a and a bell crank 64 clamped at 65 to the shaft 58,]o'etween the spacers 59. One arm 66 of the bellcrank is connected by a hinge pin 61 to linksliia and, the other ends of the links 68' are connected by means of a hinge pin 69 to one arm' 10 of a bell crank lever H, which is rotatablev on a pivot shaft 15. The pivot shaft 15 is journaled in the side walls of the housing 58a but it is fixed againstrotation by means of arms '16 (see Figs. 1 and 7) ,Leac'h of which is clamped at one end toshaft and is bifurcated at its other end." The forks 16a of each arm 16 are cIampedLto a lug'Tl by means of screws 18 and locknuts 19. Thei'oth'erlarm of the bell crank His connected at its other end by means ofa hinge pin 8|, to an adjustable rod end 82 which is clamped to'therea'rward end of the pressure rod 39. v

The other arm 83 of the --bell crank 64 is T- shaped, as is' best shown in'Figs.- 2 and 7, and its head or bar 84 is tubular so as to receive a hinge pin 85 to the ends of which are connected links 86. The other end of each link 86 is connected by a pin 81 to one end of a lever 90, and the other end of each lever 90 is clamped at SI to the pivot shaft I5.

It is apparent that the hinge assembly 35 is actuated by rotation of the rotatable leg ll of the tripod I2 through the medium of the lever 43 and'rod 53. It is intended that the hinge assembly 35 function to move the rod 39 axially and to pivot the blade I I in proper sequence and for a purpose described hereinafter. The se quence of movements of the hinge assembly will now be described with particular reference to Figs. 3, 4 and 5.

Assuming that the pressure rod 39 is in its retracted position as shown in Fig. 3, when the rotatable leg I! is rotated, levers 51 are caused to rotate in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3. This causes rotation of the bell crank 64 in a clockwise direction which, through the medium of links 68, rotates the pressure lever II in a counter-clockwise direction, thus moving the rod 39 from the retracted position shown in Fig. 3 to the extended position shown in Fig. 4. During the first increment of such movement of the lever 51, no torque is exerted on the shaft 58 except about its own axis. Hence, there is no tendency for the housing 58a to pivot about the pivot shaft 75 and the blade II, as a consequence, remains in its horizontal, down position as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. However, when the lever 51 reaches the position shown in Fig. 4, further clockwise movement thereof exerts a torque on the shaft 58 about the pivot shaft I5 and rotates the shaft 58 and with it. of course, the housing 58a about the shaft 15. It will be apparent that by rotating the lever 43 back to its original position in axial alignment with the blade II. The same movements will occur in the reverse order; that is, the blade I I will pivot back to its horizontal, down position and then the rod 39 will move to its forward or extended position.

An accurate adjustment of the relative position of rod 39 is easily accomplished by means of the screws I0. Thus, by tightening one of these screws and loosening the other correspondingly, rod 39 is moved to a relatively forward or rearward position at the commencement of operation Of the hinge assembly. When the rod 39 has been suitably adjusted, the screws I8 are clamped in adjusted position by means of lock nuts I9.

As is illustrated, both the tripods are provided with corona rings 9| and the blade II is provided with spring-loaded balancers 92 to maintain it in the up position when the switch is opened. Also, terminals 93 and 94 are provided for the hinge assemb y 35, as illustrated.

The movements imparted to blade I I and rod 39 as described hereinabove are intended to make and break contact with the fixed contact posts I3. The posts I3, as best shown in Fig. 8, diverge at their upper ends and are provided with corona balls 95, and they are mounted on a spring member 98 which is mounted on a base plate 91 (see Fig. 1). The base plate 91 is in turn firmly fixed to and supported by the three legs 21 of the tripod I4. The posts I3 are silvered at 98 for better electrical contact with the blade I I.

As shown in several of the figures, the blade I I is of tubular construction and it is provided with a contact nose I05 having a silvered surface at I06. As shown inFigs. 2 to 5, the pressure rod 39 is connected at its outer end by means of a hinge pin I01 to a pair of angular links or bell crank levers I08 to the bends of which is connected an extension rod I09 by means of a hinge pin H0. The other ends of levers I08 are connected by a hinge pin III to links II2 which are rotatably mounted on a shaft II3 extending between and supported by the side walls of the contact nose I05. The extension rod I09 is supported and guided by a guide member I I3a which is fixed to the walls of the nose I05,and it is slidable through and extends through the outer end of the contact nose I05. At its outer end the rod I09 is threaded and a pair of contact and pressure elements II4 are pivotally mounted thereon by means of pivot pins H5. The pressure elements II4 have angular adjacent ends H6 as illustrated, to adapt them to limit in a linear position as shown in Fig. 2 and to pivot inwardly to an angular position as shown in Fig. 6 under the urging of leaf springs I I1 bearing against lugs IIS. Nuts H9 and I20 are provided to clamp the pressure elementsl I4 and springs II! in suitably spaced relation to the end of the contact shoe I05.

In operation, the switch functions as follows: Assuming that the blade I I is in its up position as illustrated in Fig. 5, to close the switch the operating lever 25 is rotated to actuate the hinge assembly 35. As explained hereinabove, the blade is first pivoted downwardly to horizontal position, at which point the lever 51 and other elements of the hinge assembly occupy the position shown in Fig. 4. Further rotation of the operating lever 25 causes retraction of the pressure rod 39 from the position shown in Fig. 4 to that shown in Fig. 3. This results in retracting the extension rod I09 from the advanced position shown in Fig. 4 to the retracted position shown in Fig. 3, thus bringing the pressure elements II4 inwardly toward the contact posts I3. The latter, being spring mounted, bend inwardly until they abut the silvered end of contact nose I05, and the resulting pressure on the pressure elements H4 pivots them against the leaf springs I IT to the linear position shown in' Fig. 2. It will be apparent that the pressure elements H4 and contact nose I05 will grip the contact posts I3 firmly owing to the spring pressure exerted against the elements II4 as Well as the vise-like action of the contact elements II 4 and contact nose I05.

In breaking the contact thus established, the operating lever 25 is rotated in the opposite direction to advance the extension rod I09 and pressure elements H4 and to swing the blade I I free of the posts I 3.

It will be apparent that in making and breaking contact, if ice or other foreign matter has accumulated which tends to bind the movable contact elements to the fixed contact elements, or which tends to insulate one from the other, considerable shearing and bending forces will be exerted which will break away the accumulated ice. etc. Thus, it will be seen that the pressure elements pivot and that the contact posts flex when contact is made or broken. A coating or accumulation of ice will be subjected to such severe stresses and strains and to such shearing forces that it will be shattered and will be broken from the contacting surfaces, thus ensuring both making and breaking the contact.

Referring to Fig. 9, there is shown a modified form of pressure rod 39a which is integral and which extends through the nose I05 instead of having an extension connected thereto.

It will thus be apparent that a switch is provided which effectively makes and breaks contact under severe conditions of icing, etc. Operation of the switch is simple and effective. The hinge assembly and movable blade are firmly mounted on three legs of a tripod, one of which also serves as an operating element, and the fixed contacts are similarly firmly mounted on the three legs of a tripod. The movements of the contact and pressure elements are such as to ensure clearance of the contact posts, and as explained hereinabove the various movements of the pressure and contact elements are such as to break, bend, crack, shear and scrape off any accumulated ice or other foreign matter to ensure making and breaking of contact.

While I have shown the preferred form of my invention, it is to be understood that various changes may be made in its construction by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A disconnect switch comprising a stationarily positioned contact element yiel-dable a limited amount in a lateral direction, an elongated switch blade articulately connected at one end to a stationary support for swinging movement, a contact nose at the terminal of the free end of the switch blade, a clamping member carried by the blade and positioned at a spaced distance longitudinally outward from the contact nose and movable longitudinally relative to the blade toward and away from said contact nose in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of swinging movement of the switch blade, the contact element when the blade is in normal position being positioned to be interposed between the contact nose and the clamping member and disposed in spaced relation to each, whereby when the blade is swung from normal position the clamping member and nose are swung clear of the contact element regardless of the formation of obstructions on said contact element, operating mechanism for forcibly moving said clamping member inwardly toward said blade into engagement with the stationary contact to forcibly move the stationary contact into engagement with the contact nose and swinging said blade in synchronism.

2. A disconnect switch comprising a stationarily positioned contact element, an elongated switch blade articulately connected at one end to a stationary support for swinging movement, a contact nose at the terminal of the free end of the switch blade, a clamping member carried by the blade and positioned at a spaced distance longitudinally outward from the contact nose and movable longitudinally relative to the blade toward and away from said contact nose in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of swinging movement of the switch blade, the contact element when the blade is in normal position being positioned to be interposed between the contact nose and the clamping member and disposed in spaced relation to each, whereby when the blade is swung from normal position the clamping member and nose are swung clear of the contact element regardless of the formation of obstructions on said contact element, operating mechanism capable upon operation when said blade is in normal position to forcibly move the clamping member relatively away from the clamping nose and subsequently swing said blade to open position, said operating mechanism capa- 6 ble upon operation when the bladefis in opene condition to first swing the blade to position the contact element between the clamping member and the blade and thereafter forcibly move the clamping member toward the contact nose to firmly clamp the contact element therebetween.

3. A disconnect switch comprising a stationarily positioned contact element, an elongated switch blade articulately connected at one end to a stationary support for swinging movement, a contact nose at the terminal of the free end of the switch blade, a clamping member carried by the blade and positioned at a spaced distance longitudinally outward from the contact nose and movable longitudinally relative to the blade toward and away from said contact nose in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of swinging movement of the switch blade, the contact element when the blade is in normal position being positioned to be interposed between the contact nose and the clamping member and disposed in spaced relation to each, whereby when the blade is swung from normal position the clamping member and nose are swung clear of the contact element regardless of the formation of obstructions on said contact element, operating mechanism capable upon operation when said blade is in normal position to forcibly move the clamping member relatively away from the clamping nose and subsequently swing said blade to open position, said operating mechanism capable upon operation when the blade is in opened condition to first swing the blade to position the contact element between the clamping member and the blade and thereafter forcibly move the clamping member toward the contact nose to firmly clamp the contactelement therebetween, said contact element being slightly yielding in the direction of the path of the movement of the clamping member when the blade is in normal position.

4. A disconnect switch comprising an upright contact element fixed at its base to a stationary support, an elongated switch blade hingedly mounted at one end to a stationary support for swinging movement in a vertical plane from a position in registration with the contact element to a position upwardly removed from the contact element, a contact nose fixed on the free end of the switch blade extending to a point normally out of contact with the adjacent surface of the contact element when the switch blade is in a position with its end in registration therewith, a clamping member movably mounted on the blade and positioned a spaced distance longitudinally outward from the contact nose whereby when the switch blade is in registration with the contact element the latter will be interposed between said nose and said clamping member and disposed in spaced relation to each, said clamping member being movable longitudinally relative to the blade toward and away from said nose in a plane perpendicular to the path of the swinging movement of the switch blade, operating mechanism connected with the switch blade and with said clamping member capable upon operation when the switch blade is in registration with the contact element to first move said clamping member relatively outward with respect to said nose to a point spaced from the contact element and subsequently swing said blade to a vertical position disengaging the clamping member and nose from the contact element, said operating mechanism capable upon operation when said blade is in such elevated condition to first member relatively toward the nose to clamp the contact element therebetween.

5. A disconnect switch comprising an upright contact element fixed at its base to a stationary support, an elongated switch blade hingedly mounted at one end to a stationary support for swinging movement in a vertical plane from a position in registration with the contact element to a position upwardly removed from the contact element, a contact nose fixed on the free end of the switch blade extending to a point normally out of contact with the adjacent surface of the contact element when the switch blade is in a position with its end in registration therewith, a clamping member movably mounted on the blade and positioned a spaced distance longitudinally outward from the contact nose whereby when the switch blade is in registration with the contact element the latter will be interposed between said nose and said clamping member and disposed in spaced relation to each, said clamping member being movable longitudinally relative to the blade toward and away from said nose in a plane perpendicular to the path of the swinging movement of the switch blade, operating mechanism connected with the switch blade and with said clamping member capable upon operation when the switch blade is in registration with the contact element to first move said clamping member relatively outward with respect to said nose to a point spaced from the contact element and subsequently swing said blade to a vertical position disengaging the clamping member and nose from the contact element, said operating mechanism capable upon operation when said blade is in such elevated condition to first swing the blade to a position in registration with the contact element to position the same between the clamping member and the contact nose and then subsequently forcibly moving said clamping member relatively toward the nose to clamp the contact element therebetween, said contact element being resiliently yielding in the path of the movement of the clamping member whereby it may be moved into contact with the contact nose when clamping is effected and away from the contact nose when unclamping is effected.

6. A disconnect switch comprising a stationarily positioned contact element yieldable a li.i ited amount in a lateral direction, an elongated switch blade articulatedly connected at one end to a stationary support for swinging movement, a contact nose at the terminal of the free end of the switch blade, a clamping member carried by the blade and positioned at a spaced distance longitudinally outward of the contact nose and movable longitudinally relative to the blade toward and away from said contact nose in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of swinging movement of the switch blade, the contact element when the blade is in its normal position being positioned to be interposed between the contact nose and the clamping memher and disposed in spaced relation to each,

whereby when the blade is swung from normal position the clamping member and nose are swung clear of the contact element regardless of the formation of obstructions on said contact element, operating mechanism for moving said clamping member inwardly toward said blade into engagement with the stationary contact to forcibly move the stationary contact into engagement with the contact nose, said contact member having at least one resiliently mounted pivotal contact element slidably engageable with said stationarily positioned contact element when said clamping member is moved inwardly toward said blade, said operating mechanism being operable for swinging said blade to and from said normal position when said clamping member is disposed in its outward position.

7. A disconnect switch comprising a stationarily positioned contact element yieldable a limited amount in a lateral direction, an elongated switch blade articulatedly connected at one end to a stationary support for swinging movement, a contact nose at the terminal of the free end of the switch blade, a clamping member carried by the blade and positioned at a spaced distance longitudinally outward of the contact nose and movable longitudinally relative to the blade toward and away from said contact nose in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of swinging movement of the switch blade, the contact element when the blade is in its normal position being positioned to be interposed between the contact nose and the clamping member and disposed in spaced relation to each, whereby when the blade is swung from normal position the clamping member and nose are swung clear of the contact element regardless of the formation of obstructions on said contact element, operating mechanism for moving said clamping member inwardly toward said blade into engagement with the stationary contact to forcibly move the stationary contact into engagement with the contact nose, said clamping member having a pair of spring-pressed contact elements pivotally mounted for movement in a plane perpendicular to the plane in which the blade swings and slidably engaging said stationarily positioned contact element when said clamping member is moved inwardly toward said blade, said operating mechanism being operable for swinging said blade to and from said normal position when said clamping member is disposed in its outward position.

FRED H. COLE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,965,272 Wilkins July 3, 1934 2,001,080 Thompson Ma 14, 1935 2,041,877 Thompson et al, May 26, 1936 2,203,351 Froland June 4, 1940 2,235,253 Brock et a1. Mar. 18, 1941 2,309,909 Koppitz et al. Feb. 2, 1943 2,315,428 Huttinger Mar. 30, 1943 

